Can you get fat from smoking cigarettes?

There are a couple of reasons why people gain weight when they give up cigarettes. Some have to do with the way nicotine affects your body. The nicotine in cigarettes speeds up your metabolism. Nicotine increases the amount of calories your body uses at rest by about 7% to 15%.

Does smoking cause fat belly?

But new research has found that heavy smokers are more likely to get pot bellies. Scientists say that while people who light up may have better control of their overall weight, heavy tobacco use tends to push fat into central areas, resulting in a protruding tummy.

Why can’t I lose weight after giving up smoking?

The effect of nicotine withdrawal on the body Researchers suggest that one of the reasons why people who quit smoking tend to put on some weight after quitting is because their metabolism slows down in the absence of nicotine. Consequently, they burn fewer kilojoules than while they were smoking.

Why do smokers get fat?

When you smoke, the drug nicotine speeds up your metabolism: which means your body uses energy more quickly. When you quit smoking, your metabolic rate decreases and many people increase their eating and, in particular, the intake of high-calorie foods and alcohol. 1 This contributes to weight gain.

Will I lose weight if I start smoking?

Smoking’s effect on body weight could lead to weight loss by increasing the metabolic rate, decreasing metabolic efficiency, or decreasing caloric absorption (reduction in appetite), all of which are associated with tobacco use. The metabolic effect of smoking could explain the lower body weight found in smokers.

How do I speed up my metabolism after quitting smoking?

Exercise to Boost Metabolism. Exercise is hugely beneficial when you are quitting smoking. It helps fight weight gain by burning calories and boosting metabolism for up to 24 hours after a workout. Exercise also breaks down fat and releases it into the bloodstream, which works to curb feelings of hunger.